Theresa May says Brits should rest assured of a smooth Brexit deal

British Prime Minister Theresa May has told the UK public not to worry about Britain's exit from the European Union because she can get a “good deal” with the EU, despite government plans to urgently prepare for a no-deal Brexit, and stockpile food, medicine and blood.

In an interview on Wednesday, May defended her government's policy following revelations from newly-appointed Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab that London as begun stockpiling essential items which the UK may struggle to import after Brexit without securing a trade deal.

May confirmed during a TV interview that plans for stocking essential goods are underway, in case imports from the EU are cut off by overloaded ports.

“Far from being worried about preparations that we are making, I would say that people should take reassurance and comfort from the fact that the government is saying we are in a negotiation, we are working for a good deal,” said May, adding, “I believe we can get a good deal, but, it’s right that we say – because we don’t know what the outcome is going to be – let’s prepare for every eventuality.”

The news raised fears across the UK that the possibility of a no-deal Brexit is growing more likely as the government continues to fail to make any tangible progress despite over two years of negotiations.

Recently the PM released her government’s official negotiations policy known as her White Paper strategy which details what the UK wants a future relationship with the EU to be.

May hoped the paper would unite her warring party behind a joint vision. However, a number of her front-bench MPs, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and her Brexit negotiator David Davis, have resigned over the strategy.

PressTV-May personally takes over Brexit talks

The British prime minister says from now on she personally takes over the Brexit talks with the EU.

The European Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, who has been authorized by the EU to evaluate and respond to the UK position, has publicly rejected much of May’s proposals.

“It is also our responsibility to be prepared for all scenarios, including a no-deal,” Barnier said after reviewing May’s white paper.

Barnier explained that the reason for the EU’s rejection of May’s latest solutions was because her proposals over border controls would create more red tape chaos.  

“Brexit cannot, and will not, justify additional bureaucracy,” he said.

The March 2019 deadline for the UK to leave the EU bloc is close but a lack of progress in recent weeks has raised concerns that the UK will need an extension in order to continue negotiations to avoid a no-deal.

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said recently that Britain would need such an extensions in EU membership.

“What we have said is there should be a transition period, and that was eventually supported and accepted. Quite clearly it might be necessary to ensure that goes on a bit longer,” Corbyn said.

However, Chancellor Philip Hammond spoke out against seeking the idea and said that the UK parliament has already decided the current exit date must be honored by law.

“We don't have a legal basis now for extending our membership of the European Union even if we wanted to do so,” said Hammond.

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